In the fall of 2018, before it snowed, a group of ten colleagues from the company took a trip around the Southwest National Park and organized the route into the following sections:
National Park Loop 1:Zion,Red Canyon,Bryce
National Park Loop 2:Capitol Reef,Canyonlands,arch, Moa
National Park Loop 3:Monument Valley,Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell,Horseshoe Bay
National Park Loop 4:Grand Canyon,Laughlin
National Park Loop 5:Joshua Tree,Coachella Valley, Palm Springs
The length of the tour can be arranged according to your needs. Of course, if you just drive, you can complete the tour in two or three days. But to reach the level of tourism, it takes at least seven to ten days.
The major attractions are divided into five areas according to their geographical locations. We will first make an overall introduction and then discuss each area in depth.
We chose Los Angeles as the starting and ending point because it is the main gateway for international flights in Asia.
The loop connects eight national parks and nature reserves in the southwestern United States, passing through Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California, where you can see various red rock formations, waterfalls, wild streams, and canyon wonders along the way.
- Eight days of gameplay –
National Park Circuit 1: 2 days
National Park Loop 2: 2 days
National Park Loop 3: 2 days
National Park Loop 4: 1 day
National Park Loop 5: 1 day
National Park Loop 1:Zion National Park, Red Canyon State Park,Bryce Canyon National Park
Today we set out from Las Vegas and took Highway 15 to Highway 9. After entering Utah, remember to set the time back one hour!
The scenery along the way changed from a vast desert landscape to a majestic dark brown rocky granite landscape. After about 2.5 hours of driving, we arrived at the opening of the Grand Circle, the entrance to Zion National Park! .
Although Zion National Park is small, it has mountains, streams, and breathtakingly beautiful canyons. It is not monotonous at all.
The peak seasons are during the summer vacation, spring break in April, Memorial Day in late May, Labor Day in early September, and the Utah Department of Education holiday in mid-October. In the summer, the sunshine hours are the longest, the fun is the most, and the crowds are the largest. Winter is relatively quiet, with fewer people (especially from November to February), and you can still see beautiful snow scenery, but due to weather factors, you cannot go creek tracing, and the hiking trails may be covered with snow or closed.
Then we came to the parking lot to get on the park bus! The bus runs approximately every 7-10 minutes. During the peak season, there may be too many vehicles entering the park, so you must use the park bus service from mid-May to September. At other times, you can drive into Zion National Park by yourself.
The tour bus stops at nine stops along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
1. Visitor Center
2. Museum Zion Museum of Human History
3. Canyon Junction
4. Court of the Patriarchs
5. Zion Lodge Trail Upper and Lower Emerald Pool
6. The Grotto and Angel's Nest Trail
7.Weeping Rock
8. Big Bend
9. Temple of Sinawava Riverside Walk and The Narrows Shuoxi Trail entrance
The trail guide also provides three levels of trails: easy, medium, and difficult, as well as the stops where you can get off.
Among them, the fifth stop, Upper and Lower Emerald Pool trail, the sixth stop, Angels Landing trail, and the ninth stop, The Narrows, are the most famous.
Sitting on the shuttle bus, the endless red-brown cliffs along the way have flat cliff tops, which are indeed unique. We chose to go to the fifth stop, Emerald Pool Trail.
Most areas of Zion National Park are exposed to the scorching sun, but the Emerald Pool Trail is located in the shade of the cliffs, so it is relatively cool and the road surface is very gentle. It takes about two hours to go back and forth, which is suitable for beginners.
Along the way, you will first see a stream. Under the scorching sun, you can also splash water by the stream, and you will instantly feel an extremely cool feeling.
Half of the trail is along the cliff. There are gray marks washed out by water on the red-brown boulders. The cliffs are magically arranged and cut, and you will be baptized by water from time to time while walking.
The trail passes under the rock wall. Walking on the rock wall path, you will see the waterfall slowly falling from above, like countless white jade beads and splashing water. You can sit here and appreciate it carefully.
For lunch, we went to the Red Rock Grill restaurant at Zion Lodge and enjoyed a specialty trout meal.
The decoration is in the style of an American wooden restaurant, giving people an atmosphere of blending into nature and enjoying delicious food together. In addition, the restaurant also provides outdoor seating area!
The special thing about this dish is that it has rice, which is eaten in Asia, but it is cleverly combined with dried cranberries. The rice has a chewy texture with the sweetness of dried cranberries, which makes the whole dish not greasy but refreshing. The trout is fried just right, and the fragrance spreads gently from the tip of the tongue. Paired with a special sauce, the taste is more layered!
Two other classic and must-see locations in Zion National Park:
1. The most terrifying: Angels Landing
If you want to challenge the Angels Landing Trail, please remember to wear comfortable, non-slip shoes and climb carefully. There is a section in the middle where you have to move forward by pulling the chain, which is a bit challenging, so please be careful.
2. The most amazing thing: Narrows River Tracing
If you plan to go river tracing in the Narrows, please pay attention to the water level on that day, and remember to rent river tracing equipment at the entrance of the national park. Be sure to wear river tracing shoes to avoid slipping and falling. Since the stream is inside the canyon, there are dark areas that are not exposed to sunlight, so it is relatively cooler. It is recommended to bring an extra jacket when trekking.
The Narrows Trail is located at the northernmost end of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, the main scenic road in Zion National Park, and is also the narrowest section in the park. The river tracing starts from the last stop (9th stop) Temple of Sinawava, and then you can choose the turning point to return to Temple of Sinawava based on your personal time and physical strength. It is a very flexible river tracing trip.
First and foremost, renting equipment. When rafting, you need to wear waterproof rubber shoes to protect your ankles and have trekking poles, which can be rented from the Zion Adventure Company outside Zion National Park.
The best months are May, June, September, and October. The water temperature is higher and the water flow is slower during these months.
The first mile of the water trail has two main attractions: Mystery Canyon Water Fall and Horse Rock.
After walking another mile, you will see the Floating Rock, and then you are ready to enter the core area, Wall Street!
Wall Street is the most beautiful section of the entire road. There are towering cliffs on both sides of the river valley. The stone walls have been eroded over the years and are covered with parallel and smooth water marks. The rocks are green, red, black or white, and together with the faint light that shines through the cracks in the valley top, they form an ever-changing visual feast. Walking at the bottom of the valley is like walking into the center of the universe and nature, and one cannot help but marvel at the wonders of nature!
After a hearty meal, we continued on our way to Bryce National Park. After passing through several narrow and winding 180-degree bends, we entered the 1.1-mile-long Zion Tunnel. Before reaching the east exit, we stopped by the roadside to admire the chessboard mountain wall area. The criss-crossing lines looked like they were deeply carved with a knife, just like a chessboard, with very delicate textures.
After leaving Qipan Mountain, continue onto Scenic Highway 12 from Highway 89.
Utah State Route 12 runs from U.S. Route 89 near Panguitch to Torrey in southwestern Utah.
The total length is about 196 kilometers. Due to the beautiful scenery along the way, it is known as "Scenic Byway 12".
Traveling from west to east along State Highway 12 to Bryce Canyon National Park, you will first pass through Red Canyon. The dazzling sunlight shines on the rocks of the Red Canyon, bringing out the fiery red color of the rocks, making the color particularly beautiful.
There are many scenic spots along Scenic Route 12, the most famous of which is Bryce Canyon National Park.
Bryce Canyon is located at the southern tip of Utah, about 4 hours away from Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, and about an hour and a half drive from Zion National Park.
Although Bryce Canyon National Park is the smallest of Utah's national parks, it does not diminish its appeal and beauty at all. The most stunning scenery in Bryce Canyon National Park is Hoodoo (rock pillars). Although the name contains the word Canyon, it is not a real canyon. After millions of years of ice, snow, frost, rain and weathering erosion, bright red, orange and white rock pillars have been formed, creating the current amazing and dense stone forest landscape and forming a huge natural open-air theater.
Because Bryce National Park is at a high altitude, the average low temperature from October to April is below freezing (inclusive), so tourists visiting Bryce National Park in winter and spring should always check the national park website to see if there are any snowstorms or road closures.
Bryce Canyon National Park is long and narrow, extending from a main road, and the attractions are mainly on both sides of the road. The classic landscapes are recommended in order:
Bryce Point-> Inspiration Point-> Sunset Point-> Sunrise Point
Each scenic spot has many scenic trails extending downwards, as if walking on a road on an alien planet.
In fact, this national park was the territory of Indians a long time ago, and there was an ancient legend circulating at that time. Before the Indians came to this land, it was inhabited by evil spirits and goblins who did all kinds of evil and committed many crimes. Until the gods couldn't bear it anymore and turned them into stone pillars called hoodoos.
We arrived at the main Bryce Amphitheater area and prepared to walk the Rim Trail. We chose to start from Sunrise Point and head towards Sunset Point.
These classic rock pillars, hoodoos, stand there, and paired with the orange-red rocks, the scenery is vast. At first glance, the densely packed rock pillars look like a whole area of terracotta warriors.
In addition to the Rim Trail, the Navajo Loop Trail is the most popular classic trail. You can choose to start from Sunset Point or Sunrise Point, winding all the way down, and viewing the rock pillars from a different angle, from looking down to looking up, marveling at how these exquisite rock pillars are actually so huge. The trail changes from a Z-shaped winding road to a narrow straight road. One section in the middle is called Wall Street. The mountain walls are very close together, and you can see a small sky through the gaps.
After we finished the trail, we came to another amazing attraction in Bryce National Park, the Natural Bridge, a natural arch created by nature, which is very magnificent.
After visiting the two national parks, it was almost dinner time. Since there were not many accommodation and restaurant options in Bryce National Park and the area, we chose to enjoy an American buffet dinner at the Cowboy's Buffet & Steak Room at the Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn. The restaurant also offers steak set menus.
After returning to the room, decorating it warmly and washing up, I lay down on the soft bed, ready to welcome tomorrow's "National Park Loop 2"!
National Park Loop 2: Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park
After breakfast, we continued along Scenic Highway 12 in the morning, passing the following attractions along the way:
Escalante Interagency Visitor Center →Grand Staircase Escalante Visitor Center →Head of the Rocks Overlook→Anasazi State Park Museum.
Then we took Highway 24 to Capitol Reef National Park, and then turned onto Highway 191 to reach the highlight of the day, Arches National Park!
The Escalante Interagency Visitor Center is one of four visitor centers in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, each with a different theme. Located in central Escalante, Utah, this visitor center is rich with information on local geology and ecosystems.
Another Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument Visitor Center.
Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is located in southern Utah, near the border with Arizona. It was designated a National Monument by President Clinton in 1996. However, it was during the most intense presidential election at that time, and this move was questioned as an election operation to seek re-election. Therefore, its supervisory authority is not the National Park Service, but the Bureau of Land Management of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Moreover, even the paving of roads in the park is controversial. Currently, only Highway 12 and Highway 89 pass through the northern and southern edges respectively, and most of the others are simple dirt roads. This is also the largest "road-free" area in the Lower 48 States (the continental United States excluding Alaska and Hawaii), with inconvenient transportation and difficult in-depth exploration.
The area has undergone five major stages of geological erosion to form its present appearance. The traces of erosion are clearly visible; the outcrops of various rock layers have different textures and colors, which is a typical step terrain in geology. Escalante is the name of a river and also the name of a small town. The first word of the English word Escala- originally means "upward layer by layer", which also echoes the concept of "grand stairs".
Since it is inconvenient to eat and drink here, we will just treat it as a passing attraction.
Along the winding Highway 12, stop at the Head of the Rocks Overlook for a bird's-eye view of the entire Escalante Canyons.
Under the sunlight, what comes into view are colorful and smooth rocks and vast and boundless scenery.
When you first enter the museum, you can watch a short film that explains the history of the people and the land during the occupation. More than 1,000 artifacts and pottery were excavated and are also on display in the collection. Behind the museum, a short trail leads to a self-guided tour that leads to an L-shaped building with life-size replicas of six-room ancient dwellings that depict what these buildings looked like nearly 1,000 years ago. From maintenance houses to multi-story cliff dwellings, their ability to excel in architecture can be seen. In addition, intricately decorated pots, bowls, ladles, cups and other fine ceramic items were also found throughout the area.
There are few places in the United States that can rival the archaeological attractions at the Anasazi National Park Museum for an up-close and personal look at life as it existed nearly 1,000 years ago.
The scenery along Highway 24 is unique, and the endless badlands on both sides are very spectacular.
Capitol Reef National Park is named after the white dome of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The park can be roughly divided into several areas:
1. There are asphalt roads and attractions along the park. Most of the tourists visit this area.
2. Waterpocket Fold – 100-mile long monocline fold and fault.
3. Cathedral Valley – 60 miles of dirt road, requiring driving and river crossing.
4. The remote areas of the park are used by climbers.
The biggest landmark in the park is The Castle, a distinctive large rock that is easily visible. The main focus of the park is the so-called Waterpocket Fold. The topographic features are actually river valley wrinkles, and the collision and compression of continental plates formed a broken terrain of more than 100 kilometers. The piled up rocks look like continuous mountains. The so-called monocline fold is a fold that is quite inclined on one side but very flat on the other. The entire Waterpocket Fold was formed between 50 and 70 million years ago. The terrain is high in the west and low in the east. During an orogenic movement, the strata on the west side of the reef top were raised by about 2,000 meters. Subsequently, due to erosion, the rock strata began to be exposed on the surface about 15 to 20 million years ago, forming the colorful top reef rock group today.
Since there are no complete roads in the park, most of the original features are preserved. Therefore, unless you drive a four-wheel drive vehicle or choose to camp, it is generally recommended that tourists visit nearby attractions in a relaxed manner.
In addition to the beautiful scenery along the way, there are also landscapes from the pioneering era along the highway, as well as historical traces left by Indians who once lived there, which also led to the establishment of small towns in Utah after the 1860s. It adds a lot of humanistic customs.
When you arrive at Arches National Park, you can go to the visitor center first to learn some key points and plan your route.
Secondly, there are staff at the visitor center who can answer questions.
There is also a souvenir shop and a small arch museum in the visitor center, which introduces information about the organisms, minerals and arch formations in Arches National Park.
We are about to enter the park. At first, we can't see the spectacular rock arches.
Arches National Park can be divided into five areas, and the driving distance and time required from the visitor center are also listed.
There are more than 2,000 natural rock arches of various sizes, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, formed by crustal uplift and natural weathering. Under the huge arch, humans really become very small.
To reach the famous Delicate Arch, the trail takes about 3 hours, which is very physically demanding and can often lead to dangers due to unfamiliarity with the terrain. Therefore, it is recommended to hire a professional local guide to lead the way, which will be relatively safe.
If you just want to easily view the Delicate Arch from a distance, you can choose to take the Delicate Arch Viewpoint trail. The gentle trail starting from the Lower Viewpoint turns into a winding path. Then you walk up the stone-stacked stairs to the Upper Viewpoint, where you can overlook the amazing sight of the Delicate Arch. It may not be as vast up close, but you can easily catch a glimpse of its beauty.
There are many arches from different periods in The Windows Section. Compared with the more famous arch area in the north, the arches here, such as the North Window and the South Window, have not been eroded into long and thin shapes. They are still strong-looking rocks.
There are two key trails in this area. One is a circular trail on the east side that goes around the South Window, North Window, and Turret Arch, and the other is a straight trail on the west side that reaches Double Arch.
The younger arches were previously fin-shaped rocks, which are wall-shaped stones. Because the middle part is relatively fragile, over the years, a hole in the middle of the arch was slowly eroded, leaving only the slender top, which eventually broke off and left only stone pillars that continued to weather.
The Devil's Garden Trail is a difficult trail with a relatively long distance and steep terrain. The famous Landscape Arch is also in this area. When you first come in, you walk between the huge stone pillar walls, and then you have to start climbing these rocks and step onto high points to admire the arches and stone windows of different shapes. This area is relatively physically demanding and takes about 5 or 6 hours.
Since you can’t visit Arches National Park for just one day, we recommend planning more days to explore these vibrant arches if possible.
Not far from Arches National Park is the famous Canyonlands National Park.
Canyonlands National Park is located in the center of the Colorado Plateau. The Green River flows into the Colorado River in a "Y" shape, cutting the canyonlands into three major areas: Island in the sky in the northeast, Maze in the west, and Needles in the southeast. Among them, Island in the sky is located next to the highway, close to the town of Moab, so most tourists will visit this area.
There are famous attractions on Island in the sky - Dead Horse Point and the famous arch Mesa Arch.
To date, most of Canyonlands National Park remains an undeveloped original landscape. Except for the Island in the sky and Needles roads, most other roads are rugged original trails.
These scenic spots have retained their original appearance while retaining the wild western style. If you like adventure and love to appreciate such magnificent terrain, Canyonlands National Park is definitely a place worth visiting.
During the peak season every year, many tourists go to Canyonlands and Arches National Park. It would be a good choice to stop in the nearby town of Moab.
Although the town is not big, it still has many chain restaurants, street restaurants and supermarkets. It can be considered a very convenient town.
After visiting Zion and Bryce National Parks on the first day, today's Highway 12 and Highway 24 were even more exciting and exciting. Along the way, I was constantly amazed by the wonders of nature. Every time I visit a scenic spot, I hope to stay a little longer to savor this gift from nature.
Sometimes when you stand on a high place, all you see is a desolate landscape, and you feel like you are above everyone else;
Sometimes, you feel insignificant under huge rocks and arches, and your mind changes from admiration to contemplative calm.
The day's journey also includes cultural attractions, which allow people to feel more deeply about the ancestors who lived here in the past.
I will be in awe of the humans who coexist with this land.
Finally, I arrived at Arches National Park and was even more excited. From the original rock viewing to the actual stepping on these rocks,
The trail is sometimes steep and sometimes flat. When we arrived at Double Arch, we chose to start free climbing just to get closer to the stone window at the top. When sitting on the stone window, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the setting sun, and the breath of nature surrounds you.
National Park Loop 3: Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend
Early this morning, we left the town of Moab. On Highway 163, a straight road greeted us, facing the Monument Valley in the distance. This is also the Forrest Gump Point, the scene where the run to the finish line was in the movie "Forrest Gump".
Monument Valley is located in a remote area, with only Highway 163 passing through it and no forks, so it is also known as the "loneliest road" in the United States. This area is not a national park or state park, but belongs to the Navajo Nation. Visitors visit the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which is managed and operated by the Navajo Nation.
Monument Valley is mainly composed of sandstone geology. Due to river scouring and wind erosion, it has formed a landform that rises from the ground and looks like one monument after another. The rocks in Monument Valley are generally reddish in color, which comes from iron oxides in the sandstone.
The name of the local indigenous Navajo Tribes means rocky canyon.
After entering, there is a visitor center next to the parking lot, which is divided into the first and second floors. The first floor is the museum display and toilets; the second floor has a souvenir shop and outdoor stands.
In addition to the wide array of souvenirs inside, the scenery outside the large glass windows is also quite charming.
Walking out to the outdoor stands, you can enjoy the most beautiful panoramic view of Monument Valley and appreciate the three most famous Monument Valley rocks.
If you want to appreciate the majestic rock formations of Monument Valley from a closer distance, you have to take the tourist highway carved out of gravel. The road conditions are unstable and dusty, so it is only suitable for off-road vehicles or four-wheel drive vehicles.
There are two types of guided tours available:
One is the Sandstone Tour, which uses a modified car to take passengers onto a tourist highway, where they can admire the sandstones up close while being given a guided tour. This allows them to gain a deeper understanding of the Navajo tribe’s life here and the stories passed down by their ancestors.
The other is the Navajo Guided Tour, which will add some attractions that can only be visited by guides, as well as visits to traditional houses of the Navajo tribe, where you can observe Navajo women hand-treating wool, weaving and other traditional crafts.
We chose the Sandstone Tour and started this adventure that was like a movie scene!
The entire Monument Valley Loop Drive is about 27 kilometers long and takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete. Our route for the day was along the yellow lights.
Once you enter the highway, you can see the three most famous Monument Valley formations - West Mitten Butte, Merrick Butte and East Mitten Butte.
Three Sisters
You can see three thin peaks in the front of the photo.
In Monument Valley, there are also horseback riding activities. Standing at a high point facing the endless wilderness, it is just like a movie, giving you a cowboy feel.
As the car passes by scenic spots, it will narrate stories about how our ancestors began to live on this land, or local traditional myths. The car will also select a few scenic spots for tourists to get off the car and take photos.
Totem Pole and Yei Bi Chei
The pointed sandstones you can see in the distance are Tuteng pillars, and some of their accessories are sold in this area.
Extended view of Artist's Point
The Thumb
The last one is the Thumb-shaped sandstone, which really looks like a thumb-up sign!
The rocks in Monument Valley are different from those in other US national parks in one thing: rock climbing is prohibited here because the Navajo people believe that Monument Valley is their sacred place, so every huge rock is sacred.
There are not many hotels and restaurants near Monument Valley, but you can try the most distinctive local Navajo food here - Navajo tacos.
The Navajo Taco is a slightly modified take on the traditional Mexican food Taco. It is made from corn tortillas that are fried into a pouch shape and filled with mashed beans. When you put it in your mouth and take a bite, the skin is crispy, a little sweet, mixed with bean paste, and full of rich aroma. In addition, paired with shredded lettuce and special sauce, the colors look particularly rich, just like a piece of art.
Then we left Monument Valley and came to Page, which took about 2.5 to 3 hours by car. If we choose to come to Page from Las Vegas, the drive will take about 5 hours.
The first thing that comes to mind in Page is definitely its most famous Antelope Canyon!
Antelope Canyon is one of the world's famous slot canyons. Its unique landform makes it one of the world's top ten geological wonders. It is composed of sandstone, and the unique patterns on the rock walls are produced by the erosion of flash floods. The refraction of sunlight reflects colorful colors on the rocks. Being in it is like being in a dreamland, intoxicating. People describe this place as "a place touched by God."
According to the terrain, it can be divided into two independent areas: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. They are part of the same canyon and formed in the same way. Travelers are not allowed to visit the canyon alone and must join a guided tour by local Navajo Indians to tour the canyon.
Upper Antelope Canyon: Tourists need to take a jeep to the Upper Antelope Canyon.
The drive takes about 15 minutes. The wind is very strong during the journey and it is easy to get your face and body covered with dust.
Upper Antelope is located on the ground, with only one entrance and exit leading directly to the canyon. The valley is wide and the road surface is almost flat, making it easier to walk during a guided tour. Tour time: about 1.5 hours in total (about 1 hour in the canyon, and about half an hour round trip)
There is only a single entrance and exit to Upper Antelope, so you will return along the same route after the tour, but you will not be able to take any photos on the way back to avoid traffic jams. Then you will take a jeep back to the registration point.
During the tour, the tour guide will also use the reflection of light to let tourists associate some patterns or pictures, or when there is sufficient light, the tour guide will grab a handful of sand and throw it upwards, and the moment the sand and dust fall will cooperate with the light to capture the different light beauty in the canyon.
(Picture below) It looks like a monster’s eyes are staring at you.
Lower Antelope Canyon: To reach the bottom of Lower Antelope Canyon, you must walk down four sets of stairs. There is a separate exit at the back of the canyon, so the route to Lower Antelope Canyon is one-way.
Since there are many stairs, slopes, narrow passages and a long distance, the guided tour requires some physical strength.
Tour time: about 1 hour of guided tour in the canyon (but the waiting time before entering the canyon is longer)
Since the stairs to the bottom are quite steep and long, children or the elderly need to be extra careful!
The light in Antelope Canyon comes entirely from natural sunlight, which enters from the top of the canyon, is constantly refracted through layers of rocks, and finally reaches the bottom of the canyon, producing ever-changing colors along the way. The originally plain rocks also appear colorful because of these ever-changing lights. Therefore, this place is also known as the "Antelope Canyon". The colorful lights seem to sway on the rocks, telling the beauty of the Antelope Canyon to the bustling people.
You can also choose to take a boat tour to see the beauty of Antelope Canyon. View the canyon walls from a distance over Lake Powell.
For example, Wahweap Marina offers seven different boat tours, each with a different duration:
1. Antelope Canyon tour, the boat trip is about 1.5 hours.
2. Canyon adventure boat trip, the journey is about 2.5 hours.
3. Canyon Princess dinner cruise, the journey is about 2 hours.
4. Panoramic tour of Lake Powell, the boat ride is about 2 hours.
5. Rainbow Bridge trip, the boat journey is about 7 hours.
6. Private boat tour on North Lake.
7. Private boat tour on Nanhu Lake.
Official website:https://www.lakepowell.com/marinas/boat-tours/
The next thing that comes to mind in Page is the Horseshoe Bend attraction!
The canyon got its name because the Colorado River, which meanders through the canyon, happens to form a horseshoe-shaped river channel here.
This used to be a free attraction, but due to the increasing number of tourists, Horseshoe Bay has started charging admission since April 2019.
After arriving at the parking lot, you will need to walk about 1.2 kilometers on the sand before reaching Horseshoe Bay. The entire stay will take about 1.5 hours.
When we saw Horseshoe Bend, we were completely stunned by the spectacular sight. Standing on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the river, the height difference between the cliff and the bottom was about 1,000 feet. Admiring the graceful U-shaped bend, coupled with the blue sky and the surrounding boulders, this magnificent scenery is truly amazing, and one cannot help but admire the wonders of nature.
Whether it is noon, sunrise or sunset, the changing light and shadow reflected by the rock walls and riverbed show the completely different beauty of Horseshoe Bay.
However, it should be noted that only a small area facing the Horseshoe Bay has guardrails. Most other places have no railings, which retains the most natural appearance but also increases the danger. In addition, the rocks here are very smooth, so you must take every step carefully and do not get too close to the edge of the cliff when taking pictures to avoid accidents.
Another place worth visiting in Page is the Glen Canyon Dam, which uses the natural canyon as a barrier and builds a dam at the narrowest point to create an artificial lake.
When you arrive at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center on the west side of the dam, you will find a good spot to take photos of the reservoir. There is relevant historical background and geographical introduction in the visitor center. Such as early people's transportation, the navigation of the Colorado River, and a small geographical stereo map of the entire area. There are also rafting heroes and celebrities from ancient times to the present, because rafting on the Colorado River in the early days was a hard and dangerous task. Of course, there is also a souvenir section!
Glen Canyon Dam is the second tallest concrete arch dam in the United States, second only to the 726-foot-tall Hoover Dam, which controls the Colorado River and stores water to form Lake Powell, flooding a deep sandstone canyon. With 26.2 million acres of storage capacity, Lake Powell can successfully handle extended periods of drought and sustain the water needs of cities, industries, and agriculture throughout the West. Lake Powell was named after John Wesley Powell, the first explorer to lead a boating expedition down the Colorado River in 1869.
The Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, completed in 1959, is located next to the visitor center. This iron bridge spans the Colorado River and is about 700 feet high. It was the tallest arch bridge in the United States when it was completed, and it is still ranked fifth tallest in the United States!
There are also activities such as small planes and helicopters in Page. Although the town is not big, there are many options for accommodation and restaurants. As Antelope Canyon becomes increasingly popular, many new hotels have been built. You can search for food options ranging from Chinese, Western to Mexican cuisine. It can be said that the town is small but it has everything!
Every time you turn a corner you see changing rock lines and new rock formations on the stone wall.
National Park Loop 4: Grand Canyon, Laughlin
Today we left Page and headed to the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the seven wonders of the world!
The colorful and steep Grand Canyon was formed by the erosion of the Colorado River over millions of years, as well as the cutting of layers of sedimentary rocks and continuous uplift by its tributaries. It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1979.
The entire Grand Canyon can be divided into the South Rim, North Rim and West Rim. The distance between the North and South Rim is very far (the driving time will add at least 1 hour).
South Rim:The main attractions of the Grand Canyon National Park are all located here and are open all year round. There are also free shuttle buses running between the various attractions in the park. Therefore, most tourists who visit the Grand Canyon will choose the South Rim, which is the most popular of the three places. The following introduction will also focus on the South Rim.
North Rim:The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is open for a slightly shorter period of time, and can usually be visited from mid-May to mid-October. The transportation is not as convenient as the South Rim (it takes more than an hour). The environment here is quiet and there are fewer tourists. The scenery of the North Rim is similar to that of the South Rim, but because of its higher terrain, the scenery is more spectacular.
West Rim:It’s only about 2.5 hours’ drive from Las Vegas. It is an Indian reservation and not part of the Grand Canyon National Park, so no national park tickets are required, but an entrance fee is still required. The attractions include the Skywalk (which is not cheap), but the West Rim is relatively monotonous.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is open all year round, and you can enjoy different scenery in different seasons!
●springThe temperature is milder from March to May, and you can see flowers along the way while hiking. There may be an occasional thunderstorm, but most of the time the sky is clear. This is also the best time to hike in the canyon.
●summerThe peak season for the Grand Canyon is from the end of May to the beginning of September, when crowds of people are extremely large. Children all over the United States have holidays during this season, so many families come directly to the Grand Canyon to play for a whole week. If you plan to visit during this time, it is recommended to book a hotel at least half a year in advance.
●autumnMid-September to November is also the best time for hiking, but it is also the off-season for the Grand Canyon. The days are not too short at this time, but the temperature is comfortable and cool, and there will be fewer crowds except on Thanksgiving. The only thing to note is that there is a big temperature difference between morning and evening, so you must keep warm to avoid catching a cold.
●winterFrom December to February, the Grand Canyon is covered in snow. In addition to the colors of the canyon, you can also see the contrast of the white snow, which is extremely beautiful. The temperature in the Grand Canyon is relatively low at this time, and there will be snow on the road. If there is a possibility of a heavy snowstorm, remember to prepare snow chains.
➡ One-day gameplay
There are many viewing points on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, mainly located on the red and orange lines. You can spend a day visiting various viewing points to admire the beauty of the Grand Canyon from different angles. However, although it is a day, it is recommended to stay here for at least one night so that you can enjoy the beautiful sunrise or sunset of the Grand Canyon.
➡ How to play for more than two days
In addition to the above-mentioned viewpoints, there are many trails in the Grand Canyon, the famous ones are Bright Angel Trail, South Kaibab Trail and Hermit Trail. Therefore, if you have arranged a trip of more than two days, in addition to the viewpoints, you can also walk on the trails and walk into the canyon. You can enjoy the scenery that is completely different from the viewpoints above. Take a deep trip to the Grand Canyon!
The South Rim can be roughly divided into three areas: Desert View in the east, Visit Center in the middle, and Hermit Rest in the west.
Desert View Watchtower is the easternmost overlooking point. The 70-foot-high watchtower is located in a strategic position with an excellent view. It was built by Indians and is currently protected as a historical site. From the top of the building, you can overlook the Grand Canyon and the breathtaking natural scenery. Inside the watchtower there are many beautiful murals painted by Indians. The effect of light refraction inside is dazzling.
Hermits Rest can only be reached by taking the park shuttle bus. The most famous point is Hopi point, which is a very famous spot for watching the sunset. You can also see the Colorado River at the other end.
We only had one day, so we planned to stop at the Desert View Watchtower on the east side first. Then we took Bright Angel on the south rim towards Mother Point and strolled to appreciate the Grand Canyon, one of the world's seven major natural landscapes.
Not long after leaving Bright Angel, we stopped at Mary Colter's Lookout Studio, where we can see the stunning scenery of the Grand Canyon. The Lookout Studio is a stone house built along the cliffs of the Grand Canyon. It blends perfectly with the surrounding scenery and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Souvenirs are sold inside, but the highlight is walking through the shop to the observation deck at the back, where you will see the entire spectacular Grand Canyon!
Looking at these vast, spectacular and stunning scenery before your eyes, you will really feel a sense of being moved!
On the way, we passed by Hopi House, a souvenir shop that imitates the past house architecture of the Hopi tribe, a branch of Indians, and sells products related to Indian art.
And Verkamp's Visitor Center, which has an exhibition about the Verkamp family's important contributions to the community and schools on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, as well as exhibits on the history of the Grand Canyon and the lives and work of people in the past.
Finally we arrived at Mather Point, which is also the most famous viewing point on the orange line on the map. The observation deck located on the protruding rocks allows visitors to overlook the magnificent Grand Canyon scenery, which is very spectacular. In addition, Mather Point is also the official recommended place for viewing the sunrise by the Grand Canyon National Park.
Yavapai Point on the left side of Mather Point is also a great viewing point. The geological museum next to it displays the formation of the Grand Canyon and the geology. There is also an indoor observation deck in the museum, which is also worth visiting!
If you have the opportunity to spend two days in the Grand Canyon, I highly recommend trying to walk to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. There are two routes from the South Rim to the bottom of the canyon. Please refer to the picture below. The one on the east is the South Kaibob Trail (blue route), and the one on the west is the Bright Angel Trail (red route).
This day we chose to stay in the city of Laughlin, which is about four hours' drive from the Grand Canyon.
Laughlin is known as the Casino City on the Water. It is located at the southern tip of California, connecting California and Arizona. It is a casino built on the Colorado River. Almost all casinos are built along the river. Different from the luxury of Las Vegas, it presents another kind of low-key and simple charm.
Since the hotels are built along the Colorado River, there is also an alternative means of transportation: water taxis. There is a pier behind each hotel. The frequency of the trips is quite frequent and passengers can queue up at the pier to catch the taxis.
The one-way ticket costs US$5, and the driver will collect the cash directly when you are ready to board the boat. The boat stops at casino hotels along the coast.
The boat slowly sailed on the calm water, stirring up waves of ripples. Sometimes when it stopped at the shore, a few ducks emerged, swam slowly over and greeted softly. Although the boat ride is not long, it is a chance to enjoy a peaceful moment.
In Laughlin, we chose to stay at Harrah's Laughlin Hotel, which offers the most extensive "International Buffet" among the hotels in this area, including European, American, Southern European, Mexican, Southeast Asian, Chinese and Japanese cuisine. From savory to sweet, the variety is enough to feast your eyes first!
After spending a night in this water casino, we gradually came to the end of the national park loop. From the vastness to the wonders of nature, each attraction along the way has its own characteristics and stories, and they are all worth appreciating with your eyes and experiencing with your heart. Time flies, and tomorrow we will be welcoming the last stop of our trip to Palm Springs!
National Park Loop 5: Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, and Coachella Valley
After leaving Laughlin that day, we drove for about three hours and arrived at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center. If you are coming from Los Angeles, the drive takes about two hours; if you are coming from Las Vegas, the drive takes about three hours. Joshua Tree National Park is very close to both cities.
There are three Visitor Centers in Joshua Tree National Park: Oasis Visitor Center, Joshua Tree Visitor Center in the north, and Cottonwood Visitor Center in the south.
The national park is composed of two different desert ecosystems, one is the higher Mojave Desert and the other is the lower Colorado Desert. Because of the different terrains, the ecology and landscape are completely different.
In the eastern half of the Colorado Desert, there are more cacti that we traditionally see, such as Cholla Cactus and Ocotillo.
The western half of the Mojave Desert is at a higher altitude, where you can see many Joshua trees and strangely stacked stones. These strange stones were heated by crustal movement more than 100 million years ago. The molten liquid seeped upward and cooled. After a long period of weathering and rain erosion, the corners of the rectangle were slowly ground into arcs. These peculiar stone groups can be seen especially in Jumbo Rocks, Wonderland of Rocks, and Split Rock.
The main attractions of the national park are almost in a line from the northwest entrance to the south entrance. The changes in scenery along the way are very significant. Sometimes it is a whole field of cacti, sometimes it is a whole field of small rocky mountains, and sometimes it is a whole field of Joshua trees. Although the national park is not large, it is rich in landscapes.
The main attractions we visited that day were concentrated near the Joshua Tree Visitor Center.
Hidden Valley
The hiking trail is about a mile long and is very flat and easy to walk, and many people bring their pets or children with them. The only downside is probably that it's very easy to get lost.
With majestic rock formations visible throughout this hiking trail, it’s no wonder this place is a haven for rock climbing enthusiasts.
The scenery along the way revolves around the rocks, which is why this trail is one of the most popular trails in Joshua Tree. The stay time is about one hour.
●Barker Dam Trail
This is a dam built around 1900. It was originally built for miners and cattle use. It is also the place where you are most likely to see water sources in the park. The stay time is about one hour.
●Key’s View, also known as the Inspiration Stone.
It is also a place with a high altitude of 5,185 feet, where you can see the nearby San Bernardino Mountains. In addition to being able to see the Coachella Valley, you can also see the Salton Sea.
●Skull Rock
It is also one of the famous attractions in Joshua Tree National Park. Many people are attracted by this peculiarly shaped skull stone. In fact, the eyes and nose of the Skull Stone are the result of rock erosion, which led to more water accumulation and continued erosion, creating its current appearance. You can stay here for about one to two hours.
There are all kinds of strange-shaped rocks around, and this is also a favorite place for rock climbers.
●Then drive south to Cholla Cactus Garden.
Famous for its uniquely shaped cacti, despite their attractive appearance, these cacti can easily stick to clothes with just the slightest touch and are very difficult to remove.
The desolate desert forms a sharp contrast with the vibrant nature. The upward lines of the Joshua trees particularly demonstrate the vigorous vitality in the desolate landscape.
The world-renowned resort "Palm Springs" is a valley oasis. There is the world's largest revolving cable car here. After reaching the top of the mountain, there is San Jacinto State Park where you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.
The Palm Springs Cable Car was first put into use in 1963. At that time, it had relatively traditional carriages and was mainly known for its steep mountains. It was later changed into a 360-degree rotating cable car in 2001, and its super-large cabin that can carry 80 passengers became famous. There are only three cable cars in the world with such panoramic views, located in South Africa, Switzerland, and Palm Springs, California.
If you want to take the cable car to the top of the mountain, you must first drive to the valley station, which is about 800 meters high. The cable car ride takes about 12 minutes to reach the top of the mountain, which is about 2,600 meters high. The process of taking the cable car up the mountain is quite exciting. The speed is very fast and the distance covered is very long, so those who want to challenge the cable car must be mentally prepared.
When the cable car is moving, it will also rotate inside, which is a very special experience!
After reaching the top, you will first arrive at the visitor center, where there is a view restaurant and an outdoor observation deck upstairs. If you walk further out, you will reach the hiking trails of Mount San Jacinto State Park. The temperature difference can reach 10 degrees when you reach the top, so remember to prepare warm clothes.
In Palm Springs, you can’t miss the Desert Hills Premium Outlets!
So on the last stop of our return journey, we also chose to stop at the outlet and have some good shopping! If your visit happens to coincide with Thanksgiving in the United States, the discounts will make you extremely tempted!
Desert Hills Premium Outlets is the largest outlet mall near Los Angeles, with 180 brands. It is as famous as Woodbury Outlets near New York and is also a must-visit outlet for most people when visiting the western United States.
The outlets are roughly divided into two areas: the west area is smaller, while the east area has a higher concentration of international boutique brands. Although the two sides are separated by a road, they can be reached on foot. It is very convenient to use the official website map to search. You can take a general look at the location of the brand you want to visit before setting off. If there isn't much to see here, it will take at least half a day, but if you want to explore more, you can spend a whole day there!
→Click here to view the map https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/desert-hills/map/#/
This national park loop trip also came to an end after returning to Los Angeles! Experience the wonders of nature, some of which are vast, some are delicate, and some are colorful. It is well worth taking a trip to see these majestic wonders with your own eyes.
